When in our DMY Berlin 2014 Award preview post we asked "When is a wardrobe not a wardrobe?", the question was a little inaccurate.
Technically the correct question should have been, when is a laptop case not a laptop case?
The answer however remains the same: When it’s a collapsible linen wardrobe by Academie van Beeldende Kunsten Den Haag graduate Renate Nederpel.
While developing a laptop case project Renate Nederpel decided to see what happened when she scaled up the dimensions "a little."
The result was and is the flat pack wardrobe system Pop-Up Linen, an object which, in effect, if subconsciously, takes the numerous "crossed stick" wardrobe systems currently on the market and gives them a playful yet stable and durable outer shell.
The real charm with the system however is that not only is it delivered in a space saving flat packed form but if need be it can be refolded, for example when moving. Or for storage if temporarily not required.
Pop-up-Pop-down-Pop-up Linen being as such a more accurate, if less practical, name.
Featuring a tool-less construction principle and a nice mix of natural materials, Pop-Up Linen is not only a very nicely thought through and realised object but a product for which we can see good commercial potential.
At DMY Berlin 2014 Renate Nederpel is presenting two versions of the object: a larger, stitched model as a wardrobe which represents the "original" version and a newer, smaller, glued model intended for use as a wall mounted storage/office unit. The switch from stitched to glued having been made to simplify the production process and so make commercial production more realistic. Renate Nederpel is still working on the details of the glued system, but we're sure she'll get there.
We'll certainly keep you updated.
